Connecticut
Southport,
Connecticut | A Historic Coastal Village
Settled in
1639, the beautiful coastal hamlet of Southport, Connecticut, boasts a rich New
England history.
By Jessica
Gordon Ryan
Jan 03 2022
https://newengland.com/travel/connecticut/southport-connecticut/
Southport,
Connecticut, is a beautiful coastal hamlet in Fairfield County, located just
over an hour outside of New York City. The small village, settled in 1639, is
part of the town of Fairfield and evocative of its rich New England history.
Southport was designated a local historic district in 1967.
During the
eighteenth century, Mill River Village was a small community of just a few
houses and a wharf at the mouth of the Mill River. The harbor allowed for farm
products from the surrounding areas to be shipped to ports in New York and
beyond. By 1831, this little community, by then known as Southport, had evolved
into a bustling commercial area with beautiful homes alongside churches,
schools, stores, and warehouses.
As a leading
coastal port on Long Island Sound, Southport enjoyed great economic prosperity.
Soon the railroad would arrive, creating new opportunity while at the same time
competing with the shipping industry. By this time, Southport was well-known
for its high quality onions, grown on Fairfield’s hills and shipped out via the
harbor. During the 1890s, 100,000 barrels of Southport onions were shipping
each year, along with locally grown carrots, potatoes, and other goods. In
addition to its identity as a shipping center, Southport with the only two
banks serving all of Fairfield, was also the area’s financial district.
The historic
allure remains today. A drive through the charming village reveals majestic,
tree-lined streets and elegant, stately homes of varying architectural styles –
Greek Revival, Georgian, Victorian, Colonial, Romanesque and Federal – giving
us a view into an historic, bygone era.
The old
village is protected by strict zoning laws, designed to preserve its history
for future generations. The small seaport area boasts a private yacht club, its
own library, two churches, several lovely shops and antique stores, restaurants
and a boutique hotel. The views of the Long Island Sound are positively
breathtaking.
What puts
this small village on the map today is an annual event hosted by the Southport
Congregational Church, “Rooms with a View,” started by interior designer Albert
Hadley two decades ago. This premier design experience, now chaired by Thom
Filicia, celebrates art, architecture and design in vignette form, reflecting a
specific theme. The event, which takes place in the middle of November, has
showcased some of our country’s top design talents and personalities. Over the
past 20 years, “Rooms with a View” has raised over $1,300,000 for the church
and its missions.
Have you
ever visited Southport, Connecticut?
This post
was first published in 2015 and has been updated.
Jessica
Gordon Ryan
Design of a
Country Estate: Purple Cherry Architects & Interiors Hardcover – 20
Aug. 2024
English edition by Cathy Purple Cherry (auteur)
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